Planning Your First Trip Abroad? Here's What You Should Keep In Mind

Hello there! Judging by your presence here, you are soon flying to an international destination and are looking for some help. But, if you're looking for a what-and-how-to-pack/plan type of a story, you're in the wrong place. We're taking you beyond planning, to things people don't tell you, points you should keep in mind to ensure the trip runs smoothly.

Be prepared: not everything will go as per plan

Even if you stick to your best-laid plans, there are chances other variables - flights, weather, tours - won't follow.. If this happens, you need to ensure it doesn't get to you and spoil your fun. So what if the train or flight or bus got delayed or it's raining outside? Just embrace this opportunity and make the most of your time - go hiking, sit in a local cafe, spend time understanding local culture, striking conversations with fellow travellers and more.

Visit those touristy places but don't miss out on local gems

Of course, visit the popular places, but also ensure that you don't miss out on local favourites. A good way to find these is to talk to locals in the hospitality industry - ask your hotel manager for hidden gems to explore, talk to your waiter at the restaurant and ask him about his favourite place to eat, get a list of interesting activities from your tour guide. You never know - these local favourites may prove better than anything that was part of your plan. BUT, ensure you aren't overcrowding your itinerary.

Get basic language lessons

No, we don't mean you should take a month-long course to learn the language of the place you are visiting, but at least get a hang of the basics. For starters, learn how the locals greet each other. Post this, try putting together a simple sentence introducing yourself. Learn to say ‘please', ‘thank you' and ‘sorry' in that languge - these go a long way towards making your trip a lot smoother and locals a lot friendlier. Warning: cross-check with a local before unleashing a Google-translated sentence on people. . Use apps like Duolingo or Memrise to very quickly pick up the rudiments of a new language.

It's not your home country, so be respectful

Every region has its own culture and traditions; you have to be considerate of this fact. From wearing unacceptable clothing to haggling and more,things that may be acceptable in your country may not be okay elsewhere. And, pardon us for saying this, but basic politeness is important too. It'sshameful tohave to point this out but a lot of tourists forget this essential rule. You have to be cautious of what your actions may result in. Eventually, you are not just representing yourself, but also your home country.